Atlanta United has announced the addition of Russian midfielder Alexei Miranchuk, who previously wore the Atalanta shirt in Serie A. The club’s official social channel teased a switch in colors by sharing an image of the Europa League trophy, with the familiar black and blue stripes shifting to red and black. The message accompanying the post echoed the idea of continuity with a simple line: Same lines, different colors.
Miranchuk joined Atalanta in 2020 after a stint on loan at Torino, and he has since become a regular in Bergamo. Last season, he appeared in 42 games across all competitions, contributing four goals and twelve assists. Across his time with Atalanta, the Russian midfielder tallied 13 goals and 19 assists in 98 appearances, helping the team make a notable impact in European competition and earning a Europa League winner’s medal during his spell with the club.
The brother of Alexei, Anton Miranchuk, also began his career in Russia. The two brothers entered Lokomotiv Moscow’s academy in 2011 and each made their professional debuts with Lokomotiv in 2013. Alexei remained with Lokomotiv until his move to Atalanta, a transition that marked a new chapter in his career as he embraced Italian football and the challenges of top-tier European competition. The journey from the Lokomotiv youth ranks to Serie A offered Miranchuk a platform to showcase his versatility, technical skill, and creative decision-making on the field.
There has been speculation about the potential transfer of Miranchuk to Atlanta in recent months, with former Anzhi coaches weighing in on the possibilities and the fit of a player who can operate across attacking midfield positions. Observers note that his pace, vision, and ability to link play between midfield and forward lines could suit Atlanta United’s style, which emphasizes quick transitions, compact defense, and dynamic attacking runs. The move, if finalized, would represent a continuation of the club’s strategy to bring in seasoned players with international experience to bolster the squad and compete more effectively on multiple fronts.